System and method for positioning an automated assembly tool relative to a structure
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- an end effector configured to perform an operation on a structure;
a sensor system having a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector; and
a pressure foot connected to the end effector and configured to contact a surface of the structure, wherein the plurality of sensors extends outward from the pressure foot.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a structure. The apparatus may comprise the end effector and a sensor system. The end effector may be configured to perform an operation on the structure. The sensor system may have a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector.
123 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an end effector configured to perform an operation on a structure; a sensor system having a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector; and a pressure foot connected to the end effector and configured to contact a surface of the structure, wherein the plurality of sensors extends outward from the pressure foot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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4. An apparatus comprising:
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an end effector configured to perform an operation on a structure; a sensor system having a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector; and a pressure foot connected to the end effector and configured to contact a surface of the structure, wherein the plurality of sensors has an equilateral triangular arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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an end effector configured to perform an operation on a structure; a sensor system having a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector; and a pressure foot connected to the end effector and configured to contact a surface of the structure, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured to contact the surface of the structure prior to the pressure foot contacting the surface of the structure.
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8. The apparatus of claim further comprising:
a load cell associated with the pressure foot and configured to identify a contact force between the pressure foot and the surface of the structure. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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24. A method for positioning an end effector relative to a structure, the method comprising:
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generating position data about a position of a plurality of sensors in a sensor system relative to a surface of the structure, wherein the plurality of sensors extends outward from a pressure foot associated with the end effector; and changing a position of the end effector relative to the surface of the structure based on the position data generated by the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification